TRF 416 clone/copy?

[Tuff240]

I'm thinking about ordering one. That's really cheap for a sweet on-road basher that you can use Tamiya parts to fix. Hell I might order 2 so I can have a shelfer...lol. Hoping to get your guys' thoughts before I pull the trigger. To good to be true has me hesitating.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/300656063252?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

[Mindwarp]

From what I read at the bottom of the page, the wheels are not included?

[Tuff240]

From what I read at the bottom of the page, the wheels are not included?

Says no tires. Doesn't say anything about wheels. Not a deal breaker for me either way.

[Mr. ED]

I expect it to be cheap soft low-grade aluminium and rub-away anodising, but I've been wrong before

[Jerzi]

Belive me.
The car you get it is not so good as the pics will show you.
Buy an used car instead.
This is only an very bad cope of an very nice car.
Jerzi

[drbelleville]

I expect it to be cheap soft low-grade aluminium and rub-away anodising, but I've been wrong before

These clones are nothing more than trouble. You are going to end up performing a "Tamiya Transplant" because the parts and quality is not up to par with Tamiyas. As stated before the aluminum is low grade, the anodizing is also sub par. The plastic is inconsistant. If this car is good for anything - its a shelfer with a 540 Mabuchi Silver can and a 4 cell NiMh!

There were a few guys here at our track with clones, these included the 414 (yes it was cloned) 415, 416, Xray t2 and t3 series. The guys that had them were nothing more than parts chasers, as the cars performed badly, and broke more than they should have. The car tweaks fairly easy from contact with the boards than other cars - more so than a Tamiya 416. The bulkheads bend, and bolts have broken off in the aluminum from what i have seen.

Your best bet, if you are serious about touring cars is to pick up a used real 415 or 416 - parts are still readily available. Or actually any quality name brand chassis. You will have more fun, with a reliable car that will perform as designed, and you will not lose all your money rebuilding the clone into an actual Tamiya 416.

As a note: with any of the cloned cars (from 1:10 - 1:5) all the do is copy dimensional information, there is no actual engineering behind these cars (that costs money).

[shodog]

Got to agree with drbelleville in that it's best to get the real deal. I have picked up several xray's and a trf 415 for around $125

[Lonestar]

To note - xrays age much better than trf's

a well maintained, used xray sometimes barely looks used at all!

Paul